Blog

Plan, Prepare then Apply!

• November 12, 2019

In a world where qualifications and experience are two essential components within any company's recruitment criteria, standing out from competition to land your dream job can be a challenging prospect. 

We share our top five tips to help you make a wise decision for your future.

1. Social Media, keep it professional

In the information age, social media branding can make or break your personal and professional prospects. Beyond the likes of Tinder, research shows that a candidate’s online reputation strongly influences hiring decisions of over half of the UK’s HR professionals. If you haven’t done so already, create a  comprehensive LinkedIn profile that not only lists your qualifications, but any other skills, interests or content that could increase your chance of getting the job you’re after.

2. Tailor your applications to suit different jobs

Take the time to structure your cover letter and CV accordingly to showcase the appropriate skills that you can bring to jobs you’re applying for. This doesn't mean you should be dishonest or apply to just any old job, but rather demonstrate the relevant skills and personal attributes you can bring to each respective role.

3. Do your research before applying for jobs

One way to ensure your job application doesn’t land in the ‘deleted items’ section of an employer’s Outlook, is to demonstrate a vested interest in their company’s culture, values and mission. For this reason, do the research – not only to find out what the company values in their employees, but also to determine whether the opportunity is the right fit for you.

4. Keep an open mind when looking for jobs       

When looking for jobs after graduation, it’s vitally important to keep an open mind regarding where your career path may take you. Who knows, you may find yourself moving in a completely different direction from your degree, as many professionals and even our consultants at TGP have discovered in their own careers. Of course, that doesn’t make the knowledge and skills you have learned any less valuable, and it’s good to remember that many skills are transferrable.

5. Broaden your job horizons as a graduate

Although it's great to enrol in a grad scheme or apprenticeship at a large, glamourous and well-known company, the competition to secure entry level jobs at smaller companies tends to be lower. Furthermore, the experience you can get working hands-on in a start-up environment may prove beneficial to your future career prospects, and you could even find yourself with far more responsibility and development opportunities than you would do at a larger company.